Another Round on Immigration
Now that the election is over and one of the areas where the Democrats and Mr. Bush have a chance of agreeing is on immigration reform. Much to many people's surprise Bush's position is more of a compromise position than the one his own party seems to take. So I thought I would go back to my visit to Ellis Island in October for some more thoughts.

This picture reminds us that at one time, people worked hard to ATTRACT immigrants to move to their part of the country. These four brochures advertising the wonders and beauty of Minnesota are printed in four different languages. When there's space, come on up. When we begin to run out of space, stay home.

Then there's this picture that reminded me that the adventure of coming to the United States was a dream come true. There's something in this picture that points to hope. Was there something that made it more dramatic and romantic to do so in the hold of some steamer from Europe instead of riding train cars and swimming rivers to get here?
Sure, one is legal and the others aren't but the same deep hope and promise and wonder and excitement and danger fill both. Listen to the stories of immigrants from Latin America or Cuba and you will me amazed at the perseverance and tenacity of the people involved. These are highly motivated , hard working people looking for a new life.

But these two pictures just prove that what we are hearing and seeing today is nothing new.
Scare tactics (left) and fear (right) are not the sole property of our century. America for Americans (whatever that means) has always been around and has always attacked the immigration of new people to this country. I guess it is part of the selfish side of our human nature that we want to protect what we have and keep others from taking it away instead of seeing it it as a way for all of us to benefit. A decrease of immigrant laborers to California, for example, could easily result in higher food prices since there won't be enough workers willing to work at the low wages normally paid in those circumstances.



Not that anyone and everyone should be allowed in. That has never been true. A close look at this picture of five who were deported makes one glad that at least these guys were.


Thank goodness for all the volunteers and workers who have helped bring Ellis Island alive again so that we might be reminded of our history and heritage.

The writer of the words on the right was there during the years before it was restored- a dusty, decrepit, bare skeleton of all that had gone before.


Today it may be the Rio Grande or your nearest international airport. The world has changed, the immigrants have changed, but they still look for the same new life. And that new life is still symbolized by that grand lady who stands next to Ellis Island as she has for over a century. The immigrants don't pass by her on a boat anymore. Some may fly over, but most will only see her in pictures. I pray that they will still feel her words are meant for them.

Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

Americans. Us. USA.
--Pictures taken by pmPilgrim at Ellis Island, 10/08